13 Oct Enderun wins NAASCU women’s basketball crown

Enderun College blasted Rizal Technological University (RTU) 81-71 in Game 2 to claim the National Athletic Associa­-tion of Schools, Colleges and Uni­versities (NAASCU) women’s basketball crown on Thurs­day at the Makati Coliseum in Makati City.

The Enderun Lady Titans waxed hot in the opening minutes, igniting a 10-0 run with Shenzhen Callangan and Joylyn Pangilinan hitting three-pointers and Princess Manzanares and Callangan driving to the basket, 10-2.

In the second quarter, Angelica Jaberto drained back-to-back treys for the RTU Lady Thunders to snatch the lead from Enderun, 24-25. Lady Thunder Rogelyn Inoferio hit a layup to tie the match at 33-all before half time.

“I think the girls, they really want it to have the championship so they gave it all despite the fact that we’re lacking in personnel and we’re few. I think the hard work of team pays off because they wanted to win the championship,” said Enderun head coach Haydee Ong who was also awarded as the Coach of the Year.

With 4:34 minutes remaining in the third period, Mary Grace Calang sank a floater to take a seven-point advantage for Enderun, 48-41. Ella Rodriguez drove to the basket with 27.3 seconds left in the canto, 56-48.

Jaberto shot from the arc to keep Enderun at bay with 5:55 minutes left in the match, 61-57.

Lady Titan Celine Pumaren drew the fifth team foul on Angela Dionisio that gave an early penalty for Enderun in the 4:55 minute mark. However, Dionisio failed to convert from the free throw line.

In the last minute of the match, Shaina Marcos and Jaberto both sank their free throws for Enderun and RTU, respectively, 81-71.

“It is the first time that we join NAASCU so it is not only that we get the championship, but we made the history in NAASCU for winning the title on our first time,” Ong added.

Callangan top scored Enderun with 19 points, while Calang, who received the Rookie of the Year plum, and Marcos added 15 markers apiece.

Rodriguez finished with a triple-double performance of 10 points, 22 rebounds and 13 assists and accepted the Most Valuable Player award.

Inoferio led the Lady Thunders with 22 markers, while Jaberto and Karlois Marie Duazo combined for 33 points.

In the Mythical Five were Enderun’s Rodriguez and Pangilinan, RTU’s Jaberto and Chrislym Mier, and AMA University’s Patricia Evangelista.